Electrical measuring apparatus.



M. E. LEEDS.

ELECTRICAL MEASURING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1914. 1,132,591 Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

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APPLICATION FILED APR.8, 1914.

Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

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anuzzdm By Q ATTORNEY M. E. LEEDS.

ELECTRICAL MEASURING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED APR. 8', 1914.

1,132,591. Patented Mar.23,1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

MORRIS E. LEEDS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG-NOR TO THE LEEDS & NORTHRUP COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ELECTRICAL MEASURING APPARATUS.

Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

- Application filed April 8, 1914. Serial No. 830,322.

' Measuring Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus, circuits or systems 1n which thermoelectric couples are employed for any purpose, such as temperature measurements or pyrometry.

My invention resides in' means for correcting for variations in temperature of one of the junctions of a thermo-couple, generally the cold junction, from a given or predetermined temperature at which that junction was maintained in calibrating the thermo-couple or the apparatus in conjunctionwith which it is used.

For explanation of my invention and for illustration of some of many forms my invention may take referenee is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a graphic representation of relations existing between temperatures and elcctro-motive-forces of a thermo-couple, together with derivatives from such relations.- Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the circuits and parts of a thermo-couple pyrom cter involving the use of a potentiometer. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of means for electrically correcting for temperature varirations of a junction of a thermo-couple from a given or predetermined temperature. Fig. 4 is a modification of the form of the invention shown in Fig. '3. Fig -1 is a further modification of the form of the invention shown in Fig. Fig. 4: is a further modification of the form shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an elevational-view of the main scale and correction scale. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line AA of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 isa front elevational view of an arrangement of double main scale with correction scale. Fig. 8 is a sectional View on the line B-B of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a front elevationalview of an arrangement of double range 'main and double range correction scales.

In thermo-couple pyrometry the temperature readings are' based upon the fact-that there is generated by the thermo-couple an electro-motive-force which is a function of the difi'erence between the temperatures of the hot and cold junctions of the thermocouple. In most cases it is the temperature existing at one of the junctions and not the diflerence between the temperatures ofthe unctions of the couple which is the unknown quantity to be measured. It is ac,- cordmgly necessary either to maintain one junction of the thermo-couple at a constant known temperature or, if this is not done, to apply a correction for the variation I in temperature of such junction-ofthe couple from a given temperature. And it is to means for making such correction that this invention relates, to the end that the scale readings of the indicating or measuring'apparatus will directly give, notwithstandingvariationsin the temperature of one of the thermo-couple junctions, the unknown temperature of the other junction, without recourse to computation, tables, calibration curves, or the like. v

The electro-motive-force generated by a thermo-couple is a? function not only of the difference between the temperatures of its two junctions but varies also with the absolute temperatures of itsjunctions. Thus the electro-motive-force generated by a thermocouple for a temperature difference of one hundred degrees between its two junctions,

one of which is at zero degrees and the other at one hundred degrees, is, generally speaking, quitedifi'erent in value from the electro-motive-force generated by the same .thermo-couple when there is a temperature difference of one hundred degrees between its two junctions, when one junction is at nine hundred degrees while the other is at one thousand degrees. From this fact it is impossible, with most thermo-couples, to make a true or accurate correction simply by changing the reading of the instrument by an amount corresponding with the temperature variation of one junction of the couple from the temperature at which that unction was maintained during" calibration of the couple.

A characteristic calibration curve of' a q thermo-couple with one ofits junctions maintained at a temperature of zero while the other is subjected to temperatures ranging up to nine hundred degrees is shown,

with its curvature exaggeratedfor purposes p of clearness, in Fig. 1, the calibration curve being the curvedline A, B. .1,

The characteristic of a thermo-couple which is important for consideration here, may be stated as follows: Assuming any three temperatures, 00, y and .2, 3 being higher than a, and 2 being higher than y; and subjecting one junctipn of a thermocouple to .temperature'm and the other junction to a temperature 2, and then increasing the temperature of the first junction from temperature a: to temperature y, the electromotive-force generated by the thermo-couple in the latter. case will be decreased from the value of the electro-motiveforce produced by it when one junction is at temperature w and the otherat temperature 2 v by a value of electromotive-force 'which the same thermo-couple would generate if its one junction were at temperature w and the other at temperature 3 The thermo-couple is usually calibrated by maintaining one of its junotions'at a known low temperature and by measuring directly or indirectly the electro-motiveforces generated, by the couple when its other junction is at various known higher temperatures.

The calibration curve A, B, of Fig. 1, above referred to, represents such a calibration curve whose abscissae are electro-motive- -forces and .whose ordinates are temperatures. reading instrument of a' character whose in- Below the curve is a. scale a for a dications v are proportional to the electro- 'motive-forces, when used in connection L than zero temperature.

with the thermo-couple whose calibration .curve is A, B. The points 100, 200,900 of this scale-are found by projecting downperature 100 degrees there is measured to the left, from the point where the curve A,

' B intersects that line, a distance equal to the electro-motive-force generated by the line-opposite one hundred degrees. At'each couple when its hot junction is at one hundred degrees shown byv curve A, B. Accordingly the first, point of the curve C, D is at ,zero electro-motive-force and on the of the other temperatures exactly the same distanceis measured ofii' tov the left from the curve A, Band through these points the curve C, D is drawn. lln other words, the distance from point '0 to point w cortal line of the curve sheet, and the curve (3,

D then drawn through these derived points. Below the curve sheet is the corresponding scale a derived from curve C, D as was scale a. from curve A, B, for the same proportionally reading or indicating instrument.

Throughout the following description and claims there will be used for brevity and simplicity terms as follows: The temperature to be measured and the junction of the thermo couple subjected to that temperature will be known as the unknown temperature and hot junction, respectively, whether that junction be at higher, same or lowertemperature than the temperature of the other junction the constant known temperature and the other junction subjected to that temperature during calibration of the thermo-couple will be known as the calibration temperature and cold junction respectively, whether that junction be at lower same or higher temperature than the hot unction, and the known temperature to which said cold junction may have varied when a'measurement ismade will be known as the reference temperature.

From the foregoing it will be seen that where the reference temperature difiers from the calibration temperature, the electro-motive-force reading is corrected by adding or subtracting the ,electro-motivea force which would be produced by the thermo-couple when one junction is at the calibration temperature and the other junction is at the reference temperature.

And it will be seen that there is no direct arithmetical relation between the temperature variations of the cold junction and the corrections to be applied to the temperature readings.

In Fig. 2 the reading or indicating instrument" is a. otentiometer. wire or resistance 1- is associated with a scale a which may read in milli-volts or temperatures, and when reading in temperatures may be derived from the calibration curve of the thermo-couple by the method described inconnection with Fig. 1. The resistance 1- is connected in series with the battery E, or other source of electro-motiveforce preferably more or less constant, and

the resistances land 2, more or less of which may .be brought into circuit by the adjust,- able or movable contacts 3 and 4, and the resistance 5. In shunt with the resistance 1' Here the slide may be connected theresistance 6 to assure a predetermined resistance in thecircuit begagement with which may be pressed the key contact 11 connected with one terminal of any suitable instrument such as a galvanometer-12 whose other terminal is connected to the terminal 13 of the resistance 1'. One terminal of the galvanometer 12 is also connected with key contact 14 adapted to'be' pressed into engagement with the contact 15 which connects through the resistance 16 with one terminalof the standard cell 17 whose other terminal connects as shown with the circuit including the resistance-1H To' change the range of the instrument the plug 1.8 may be Withdrawn from between the blocks forming the-terminals of resistance 19, thus bringing the resistance 19 into the circuit of battery E and resistance r, and inserted into the hole 20 between blocks whereby the resistance 21 is thrown into shunt with resistance 1'.

The operation is as follows: The contact or key 14-. is depressed into engagement with contact 15 and then the large resistance 2 and thereafter the small resistance 1 are adjusted until the galvanometer 12 points to zero, that is, until there is no current through the galvanometer 12, this being the usual. method of securing the proper current strength in the potentiometer circuit. Now,

the key or contact 11 is depressed into en'- gagement with contact 10 and the contact 8 is moved along the resistance 7 until the galvanometer again indicates zero current through it, in which case a reading may be taken from the scale or opposite contact 8 corresponding to'the temperature of the hot junction if the cold junction is at the cali bration temperature. If however the cold junction'is at a temperature other than the calibration temperature the reference temperature is read on a thermometer located at the cold junction and the correction scale (Z having pointer e is moved with respect to the contact 8 until the contact 8 is over that temperature marking on the scale d which corresponds to the reference temperature or the thermometer reading at the cold junction of the thermo-couple.- Then the key 11 is depressed and the scale at with contact 8 moved along the resistance 1" until the gal- Vanometer 12 indicates no current in which case the temperature of the hot junction T will be found on scale a opposite the auxilrange of temperatures sufficient to corer all.

"ariations of the reference temperature.

If the'plug 18 is removed from the place indicated in Fig.2 and placed in the hole 20 the range of the instrument is changed as above stated. Where such auxiliary resistances 19 and 21 are employed the scales a and d will each have a second series of markings corresponding to the second range.

In the arrangement of Fig. 2 the auxiliary scale (Z is preferably always calibrated in temperatures, while the main scale a may be calibrated in temperatures or milliolts, or both. i

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a method for correction of temperature variation of one junction of the thermo-couple in which any kind of reading or indicating instrument, that is, either a deflection or null method instrument, may be used. This instrument is indicated at I and may be a potentiom conductor 28 with the contact 29 movable over the resistance 26, there being associated with the movable contact 29 a correction scale 7' graduated in temperatures of a range corresponding with a range through which the cold junction of the thermo-couple T may vary. The resistances are so proportioned with respect to each other and the electro-motive-force of \the source 27 that when the contact 29 is set opposite the temperature marking on scale 7 corresponding with-the reference temperature the potential drop across resistance 24; willbe equal in amount and in proper direction to correct for the difference between the reference and calibration temperatures.

In Fig. 4 the resistance 24 connected in a thermo-couple lead, as in Fig. 3, is traversed-by a movable contact 29 with which is associated the correction scale f, the resistance 30 having, its one terminal connected to the terminal of resistance 24 and its other terminal to the movable contact 29, and in shunt with the resistance 30 are connected the resistance 31 and the source of current 27 similar to the source 27 of Fig. 3. Here again the contact 29 is moved to the point on the scale fwhich corresponds to the reference temperature.

In Fig. 1 the resistance 24:.is connected in. the thermo-couple ladand its one terminal connects with the resistance over which thecontact 29 is movable and with which latter is associated the correction scale f. The contact 29 is connected toone terminal of the source of current 27,- similar to source 27 of Fig. 3, whose other terminal connects with the remaining terminal of resistance 24. Here again the contact 29 is moved along resistance 32 to a point on scale f 7 corresponding with the reference temperature.

In Fig. 4 the resistance 24 is connected in a thermo-couple lead as in Fig. 3 and various taps are taken therefrom and lead 316 into the interior of a thermometer t placed at the cold junction of the thermo-couple. The resistance 24 is connected in series with the source 27, like source 27 of Fig. 3, and a resistance 33 As the mercury or other 116 conductor within the thermometer rises in response to rise of temperature at the cold junction of the thermo-couple more and more of the're'sistance 24 is short circuited, whereby the temperature correction is automatically made-by automatically changing the correcting electro-motive-force introduced into the thermo-oouple circuit, and the correcting electro-motive-force will decrease with rising temperature.

In the arrangement of Figs. 3 to 4 the instrument I may be a deflecting instrument, such as a galvanometer, ammeter, volt meter, electrometer, or'a non-deflecting instrument,

such as a torsion dynamometer or a potentiometer.

In Fig. 5 is shown an arrangement fer the main and correction scales and the resistance 1- of a system such as illustrated in Fig. 2 when the auxiliary correction scale 0! is used in connection with contact 8. In place of moving the contact 8 resistance 1' may be moved with respect to contact 8 and means for such purpose are shown in Figs. 5 and.

6, where the resistance 1" is disposed upon the periphery of an insulating disk 34, the contact/8 being shown as stationary. The disk 34 is secured upon the shaft 35 which extends through the cover 36 of the instrument and which may be rotated by the handle 37 to adjust the resistance 1' with respect tocontact 8. Carried by the disk 34 is the main scalea, (here shown calibrated in milli-volts but which may be calibrated in temperatures) visible through the aperture '38 in the cover 36. The scale d is of relatively small angular extent and, as hereinbefore stated, corresponds in its markings exactly with the low tempe ature end of scale a when the latter is cali rated in temr peratures. Fixed to the inside of the cover 36 is a stationary pointer 39 cotiperating with. scale at, and the scale (Z carries a pointer '4O' cooperating with scale a. The

scale d isloosely pivoted upon the shaft 35 0 and has secured to it one end of a screw threaded rod' or bolt 41 which extends a through an are shaped slot 42 in the cover 36," the member 41 carrying a nut 43;

When the temperature at thecoldjunction of the therino-couple has been read upon a thermometer, the scale at is swung to right or left by grasping the nut 43 upon bolt 41 until that temperature marking on scale (Z corresponding with the temperature of the cold junction is brought opposite 7o pointer 39,. when the operator by turning the nut 43 clamps the scale d in that position in fixed relation with the cover 36. lhereupon the operator rotates the handle 37 to right or left until the galvonometer indicates zero current, this action having in effect adjusted contact 8 upon resistance 1', whereupon a reading is taken on scale a opposite pointer 40 corresponding to the un known temperature. 8a

In Fig. 7 a similar structure is shown. In this case there are two scales a movable with the member 34,the upper of these scales being calibrated in temperatures while the lower is calibrated in the corresponding milli-volts. In this case the correction scale member 03 has an aperture 44 through which the scales a may be viewed, and on opposite edges of the aperture 44 are the pointers 40 and 40 cooperating respectively with the milli-volt and temperature-scales. The scale 03 is in temperatures, covering the range of reference temperatures, and cooperates as in thecase of Fig. 5 with the stationary pointer 39. By this construction the scale at is first clamped with respect to'pointer 39 with that reading of the scale opposite the pointer 39 that corresponds with the temperature of the cold junction. Then by balancing the instrument, that is, by turning the handle 37 until the galvanometer shows no current, the milli-volts may be read opposite the pointer 40 and the unknown temperature of the hot junction opposite pointer 40.

Fig. 9 is similar to Fig. 7, except that there are two temperature scales (1 and d to correspond with two ranges of the instrument depending upon the position of the i plug 18, of Fig. 2, for example. The stationary pointer 39 in this case cooperates with the lower scale (Z and is carried by the part 45 secured to the cover 36 and extending across the aperture 38. The secpnd pointer 39 is carried by the member 45 and cooperates with the upper scale-da The upper scale a is shown calibrated in temperatures and is used'with the upper scale (Z with which cooperates pointer 39 And the lower scale a is here shown calibrated in milli-vol s, but-they are the milli-volts for the other range of the instrument. And with this lower scale a is use thelower scale (Z which coiiperates with pointer 39. It will be understood of course that the upper scale a may be calibrated in milli-volts, and that the lower scale a may be calibrated in temperatures, or both in temperatures or both in milli'volts, as may be desired. The operation. is the same as described in con- ,nection with Fig. 5, the lower'scale a and correction scale pointer with respect to said circuit adjusting means to a point corresponding with-the reference temperature of the cold junction of said thermo-couple at the time the reading is made.

2. The combination with a thermo-couple, of a reading instrument associated therewith, said reading instrument having a scale, a correction scale carrying a pointer cooperating with said first named scale, circuit adjusting means, and means for adjusting said correction scale pointer with re spect to said circuit ad usting means to a point corresponding with the reference temperature of the cold junction of said thermocouple at the time the reading is made.

3. The combination with a thermo-couple, of a' reading instrument having a mam scale derived from a calibration of said thermo-couple with its cold junction, maintained at constant calibration temperature,

a correction scale, a member with respect to which both said scales are movable, a pointer on said member, means for ad usting said correction scale. with respect to said pointer to a marking on said correctlon scale corresponding with the reference temperature to which the cold junction of said thermo-couple has varied, and a second pointer carried by said correction scale and cooperating with said mam scale.

4. The combination with a thermo-couple, of a reading instrument having a main scale, a correction scale, a member w1th respect to which both said scales are movable, a pointer on said member, means for adjusting said correction scale with respect to said pointer to a marking on sald correction scale corresponding with the reference temperature to which the cold junction of-said thermo-couple has varied, and a second pointer carried by said correction scale and coiiperating with said main scale.

5. The combination with a thermo-couple,

' of a reading instrument associated therewith comprising a potentiometer, a scale associated therewith, a contact for balancing the potentiometer movable with respect to said scale, a correction scale having a pointer cooperating with said first named scalefand means for adjusting saidcorrection scale to a position corresponding with the reference temperature of the cold junction of said thermo-couple.

6. The combination with a thermo-couple, of a reading instrument associated therewith comprising a potentiometer, a scale associated therewith, a contact for balancing the potentiometer movable with respect to said scale, acorrection scale having a pointer cooperating with said first named scale, andmeans for adjusting said correction scale to a position corresponding with the reference temperature of the cold junction of said thermocouple, said scales having markings derived from the calibration of said thermocouple with its cold junction maintained at constant calibration temperature.

7. The combination with a thermo-couple, of a reading instrument associated therewith comprising a potentiometer, a scale associated therewith, a contact for balancing the potentiometer movable with respect to said scale, a correction scale having'a pointer cooperating with said first named scale, and means for adjusting said correction scale with respect to said movable contact to a point corresponding with the reference temperature of the cold. junction of said thermocouple. 1

8. The combination with a thermo-couple, of a readlng instrument associated therewith, said reading instrument having a scale derived from the calibration of said thermocouple with its cold junction maintained at constant calibration temperature, circuit ad usting means comprising cooperating statlonary and rotatable members, said scale being rotatable with the rotatable member of said circuit adjusting means, a correction scale carrying a pointer cooperating with sald first named scale, and means for a'djusting said correction scale with respect to the statlonary member of said circuit adjusting means to a pomt corresponding with the ref erence temperature of the cold junction of said thermo-couple.

v 9. The combination with a thermo-couple, of a reading instrument associated there with, said reading instrument having a plurality of scales, a correction scale having a pointer cooperating with each of said first named scales, circuit adjusting means, and means for adjusting the pointers of said 001'- rection scale with respect to said first named scales to a point corresponding with the reference temperature of the cold junctiono-f said thermo-couple.

10. The combination with a thermo-couple, of a reading instrument assogiated therewith, said reading instrument having a plurality of scales derived from the calibration of said thermo-couple with its cold junction maintained at constant calibration temperature, circuit adjusting means comprising co- "operating stationary and movable members,

said scales being movable with a movable member of said circuit adjusting means, a correction scale carrying pointers cooperating with said first named scales, and means for adjusting said correction scale with respect to a stationary member of said circuit adjusting means to a point corresponding with the reference temperature of the cold junction of said thermo-couple.

11. The combination with a thermo-couple, of a plural range reading instrument associated therewith, said reading instrument having a plurality of difl'erent scales corresponding yvith the different ranges of said instrument, said scales derived from the calibration of said thermo-couple with its cold junction maintained at constant calibra- "tion temperature, a plural range correction scale cai ryin a pointer cooperating with each of said rst named scales, circuit adjusting means, a pointer cooperating with each of the difierent range scales of said correction scale, and means for adjusting said correction scale with respect to said last named pointers to a point corresponding with the reference temperature of the cold junction of said thermo-couple.

msaeei 12. The combination with a thermo-couple,

of a plural range reading instrument associated therewith, said reading instrument I range correction scale'having pointers cooperating with said first named scales, and means for adjusting said correction scale with respect to. a stationary member of said circuit adjusting means to a point corresponding with the reference temperature of the cold junction of said thermo-couple.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses. MORRIS E. LEEDS. 4 vWitnesses:

A. S. MARSH, N. B. EvANs. 

